This piece was substantively published on Inman on March 4, 2021. This may be old news to some, but not for others. Regardless, the questions about purchasing MLS tools from participants and … Read more about A Zillow-owned ShowingTime: MLS Strategic Concern and Opportunity
MLS photographer program considerations
Several MLSs have recently launched MLS photographer programs. Under such a program, the MLS works directly with photographers to increase market options and transparency, reduce risk for involved … Read more about MLS photographer program considerations
A conversation about Fair Input Guidelines
The buzz and competition regarding alternative listing input seems to have waned a bit. In April 2017 when I wrote this piece, it was a hot topic. And despite it getting less press, it seems the … Read more about A conversation about Fair Input Guidelines
Legal considerations for alternative listing input
This piece was originally published on Inman in April 2017. In it, I posit questions I might work through with a client that is considering adopting an alternative listing and input maintenance (AIM) … Read more about Legal considerations for alternative listing input
Could these questions help avoid regional MLS dysfunction?
[This post was first published at Inman on January 12, 2017.] The real estate data industry is changing at an accelerated rate. Change can be tough. Change can breed conflict. Context A dispute … Read more about Could these questions help avoid regional MLS dysfunction?
Direct syndication alternatives
On April 8, ListHub data will no longer flow to Zillow Group (ZG) and it’s causing consternation for many. Some of that stress centers around MLSs that have not established a direct feed to ZG. There … Read more about Direct syndication alternatives
Change the game
We don’t often represent MLS vendors. There are exceptions. The primary basis for an exception is when the MLS vendor’s interest very closely aligns with MLSs’. This is one of those times. We are … Read more about Change the game
MLS Direct Syndication Negotiation
In my last blog post I promised that, “In a future post, I will take a closer look at the direct syndication model. Why? It’s more complex, it’s more interesting, it gives MLS’s more flexibility, and … Read more about MLS Direct Syndication Negotiation
MLS syndication strategy
As MLSs reevaluate their strategic planning going into the New Year, we’ve been getting many questions about how to approach the dynamic world that is listing syndication. We thought it might be … Read more about MLS syndication strategy
Strategic hypocrisy and management by anecdote
Of course, you’ve read about the dust-up in Boise at the CMLS conference, where Craig Cheatham, CEO of The Realty Alliance (TRA), alerted MLS executives that the big brokers in TRA are fed up with … Read more about Strategic hypocrisy and management by anecdote
Public futility? MLSs should focus on broker needs, not fear government regulation
In a post last week, my buddy Rob Hahn speculated about the likelihood of MLS being regulated by the government as a public utility. He and I had had an exchange of tweets during sessions at the … Read more about Public futility? MLSs should focus on broker needs, not fear government regulation
Social-media-lite policy proposed for NAR in Orlando
The MLS Technology and Emerging Issues Subcommittee (TEIS) of NAR’s Multiple Listing Issues and Policies Committee is at it again. This group (and its previous iterations) has labored to sort out the … Read more about Social-media-lite policy proposed for NAR in Orlando